Asashoryu may wrestle in IGF

[Akinomaki 40,053]

Former Asashoryu may appear in a fight of the wrestling federation of Antonio Inoki, depending on the fee he gets. "We can't pay 300 million yen like in the past"

[勝 Katsu 20]

I....don't know how to feel about that.... :-S

[IzumoTaisha 2]

It was totally inevitable - in fact I think Asashoryu could make a LOT of money from puroresu, and lets face it he'd probably be the biggest crossover star ever to hit the world of puroresu (possibly even bigger than Akebono, mostly because Asa isn't a busted up old man, he could have some sensational matches if he properly trains under someone like Inoki, or even better goes to NJPW and learn from Chono.)

I would love to see Asashoryu make the move into puroresu, I thought he'd even be a possible candidate to move into MMA, as he's not overly heavy and quick on his feet with his strength he could at least give it a red hot go.

[勝 Katsu 20]

It was totally inevitable - in fact I think Asashoryu could make a LOT of money from puroresu, and lets face it he'd probably be the biggest crossover star ever to hit the world of puroresu (possibly even bigger than Akebono, mostly because Asa isn't a busted up old man, he could have some sensational matches if he properly trains under someone like Inoki, or even better goes to NJPW and learn from Chono.)

I would love to see Asashoryu make the move into puroresu, I thought he'd even be a possible candidate to move into MMA, as he's not overly heavy and quick on his feet with his strength he could at least give it a red hot go.

I wasn't aware that there even was such a thing "professional wrestling" in Japan, my thing is that, in the states, it's just a joke and the WWE (formerly the WWF...but the World Wildlife people said "hell No!") is full of the most ridiculous, pseudo-homo dramas

(Note: South Park/ Season 13/Episode 10) and I wouldn't want to see Asashoryu anywhere near that situation.

[IzumoTaisha 2]

I think you'll find that puroresu in Japan is a much more serious competitive atmosphere than in the USA. Japanese puroresu style is some of the best athletic display in the world, excellent bouts that really represent "competition" and the serious nature of those who participate adds to its strong style.

You can like it or not like it, but you can not deny these men are supreme athletes.

http://youtu.be/fsacpkBVPWs

- Mitsuharu Misawa vs Kenta Kobashi, two of the all time greats go to battle. They are worthy of our respect.

In addition, the line between sumo and puroresu is closer than you think. Many sumo have made the transition across into puroresu, including (and beginning with the father of Japanese puroresu) Rikidozan, Tenryu, Takuetsuyama, Futahaguro, Kototenzan, Akebono, Yamamotoyama to name a few that I can think of from the top of my head.

Edited December 2, 2012 by IzumoTaisha

[Doitsuyama 1,173]

I think you'll find that puroresu in Japan is a much more serious competitive atmosphere than in the USA. Japanese puroresu style is some of the best athletic display in the world, excellent bouts that really represent "competition" and the serious nature of those who participate adds to its strong style.

You can like it or not like it, but you can not deny these men are supreme athletes.

- Mitsuharu Misawa vs Kenta Kobashi, two of the all time greats go to battle. They are worthy of our respect.

Still, the "fight" is obviously totally staged.

[IzumoTaisha 2]

Still, the "fight" is obviously totally staged.

That is correct. But the fact that the two men going into the ring know the outcome hardly matters to us. Their job is to go out there, with a time limit and a finish, and tell us a story during that time they have out in the spotlight. Their job is to present a great and thrilling event to us, using every skill and ability they have as athletes in combination. It's their job and their passion to have us on the edge of our seats, glued to the action back and forth, gladiatorial combats which will keep us guessing and entertained. A true classic wrestling match will have your eyes focused on the action the entire time as the two artists paint a story on the canvas of the ring-mat, every punch, slam, chop and flip perfectly executed in combination with a thousand other manouvres as skillfully executed.

The very best elite pro wrestlers can go out there with just a time limit and a finish, and ad-lib the entire match. I've seen guys wrestle an hour and been completely transfixed from minute one. It isn't about the result as it is the journey, the story that the two guys tell through their actions for the sake of us and us alone who watch them.

We who watch know that the outcome is predetermined. But we watch to see the story unfold, and we don't know how it will end, which makes the anticipation of the finish that much more exciting.

[Kintamayama 44,646]

Dissing pro wrestling for being staged is like dissing a movie. You know Clint Eastwood didn't really die but you are totally engrossed in the fact that his character did (just an example). You don't stand up in the cinema and shout "Hey, he's not dead!! This is staged!!" Everyone knows that. Nobody (these last few years) says pro wrestling is for real, but falling off 3 foot ladders is real and being thrown out of a ring is real and guys flying around and landing hard on each other is real. The theatrics and terrible acting surrounding it outside of the ring are part of the circus, and it's a great circus. Sure, not everyone likes a circus, I know. Still these guys are all great athletes (the fact that most of them are juiced up notwithstanding).

Edited December 2, 2012 by Kintamayama

[yorikiried by fate 2,001]

We who watch know that the outcome is predetermined. But we watch to see the story unfold, and we don't know how it will end, which makes the anticipation of the finish that much more exciting.

Did you ever check out improvisational theatre?

It's sometimes hard to recognize the moves, but otherwise it's quite the same.

Edited December 2, 2012 by yorikiried by fate

[krindel 671]

Although not a fan of the spectacle that is pro wrestling at all, I have nothing against the athletes, who I agree are very highly trained professionals that deserve respect.

My issue with Asashoryu or anyone else from sumo going into pro wrestling is the same as my issue with Michael Jordan going to play baseball. If you are one of the all time greats at your chosen sport, trying to capitalize on your name by becoming a mediocre athlete at a different sport is not a good legacy, in my view.

Then again, no one gave me a few hundred thousand for an appearance anywhere, so what do I know?

[Asashosakari 18,968]

My issue with Asashoryu or anyone else from sumo going into pro wrestling is the same as my issue with Michael Jordan going to play baseball. If you are one of the all time greats at your chosen sport, trying to capitalize on your name by becoming a mediocre athlete at a different sport is not a good legacy, in my view.

I'm afraid I'm going to say much the same as I did in the Miyabiyama discussion recently. ;-) Some athletes capitalize on their name by becoming mediocre at another sport, some do it by becoming mediocre TV tarento (or Western equivalent), many others become mediocre sportscasters and commentators. (Not to mention mediocre coaches.) For that matter, some great actors become mediocre directors or mediocre singers, and even more great singers have become mediocre actors. Should people who once excelled at something not be allowed to have a less-impressive second career without being subjected to "you're tarnishing your legacy" comments?

Smacks of putting people on a pedestal they didn't ask to be put on in the first place, then criticizing them for not staying up on it. But then I'm on record as not being up with today's ever-present cult of celebrity, so I'm probably just wired wrong.

Edited December 2, 2012 by Asashosakari

[krindel 671]

My issue with Asashoryu or anyone else from sumo going into pro wrestling is the same as my issue with Michael Jordan going to play baseball. If you are one of the all time greats at your chosen sport, trying to capitalize on your name by becoming a mediocre athlete at a different sport is not a good legacy, in my view.

I'm afraid I'm going to say much the same as I did in the Miyabiyama discussion recently. ;-) Some athletes capitalize on their name by becoming mediocre at another sport, some do it by becoming mediocre TV tarento (or Western equivalent), many others become mediocre sportscasters and commentators. (Not to mention mediocre coaches.) For that matter, some great actors become mediocre directors or mediocre singers, and even more great singers have become mediocre actors. Should people who once excelled at something not be allowed to have a less-impressive second career without being subjected to "you're tarnishing your legacy" comments?

Smacks of putting people on a pedestal they didn't ask to be put on in the first place, then criticizing them for not staying up on it. But then I'm on record as not being up with today's ever-present cult of celebrity, so I'm probably just wired wrong.

Well, that's a big debate, but still I think the Miyabiyama discussion is different from this one, in the sense that no one would call Miyabiyama "one of the all time greats" of sumo, and we were discussing his active sumo career, not his day after.

In any case, I agree that it is Asa's money, and Asa's legacy, and he can do with it as he pleases. All he has to lose is (some of) the esteem of myself and anyone who thinks like I do. How much he cares about that opinion is up to him, of course, but that is what is called "legacy", and he can choose to form his own in any way he wants. For me, being a mediocre oyakata, a mediocre commentator or a mediocre talent scout is something that commands my respect since its a way that he continues to serve the sport that he (presumably) loves. Unless, of course, he strays into the well-known "Nothing today is half as good as when I was active" territory.

As an example, I have to say that I am someone who never watched Pele play soccer, and I have found it increasingly hard over the years when hearing the name "Pele" to make the association with "One of the sports best players ever". Instead, what I keep thinking is "a know-it-all who believes that soccer revolves around himself and his graphic opinions that range from naive to laughable". I know for a fact (from several discussions on the subject) that a lot of soccer fans my age have the exact same impression. So, I think that this is a case of someone who mismanaged his legacy to the detriment of both himself, and his sport.

Its probably unfair in a way, but athletes in particular have the bad luck to have an active career of a dozen years or so, and a disproportionately large part of their life being retired and enough time to leave a very lasting impression as veterans. My personal opinion therefore, is that I would REALLY prefer for retired stars (in any sport) to respect their legacy and avoid that particular pitfall, but any of them who thinks that this is a pedestal that has been forced on them and that they wish to step off it, has every right to completely ignore me :-) .

[勝 Katsu 20]

I wouldn't mind seeing Asa in a commentator role. That's kind of "how it's done" in the states...no problem.

Prowrestling people are athletes, but they're not actually competing...that's the issue

[Asashosakari 18,968]

Prowrestling people are athletes, but they're not actually competing...that's the issue

Of course they're competing, their professional success just isn't measured in wins and losses.

[勝 Katsu 20]

Prowrestling people are athletes, but they're not actually competing...that's the issue

Of course they're competing, their professional success just isn't measured in wins and losses.

hmmmm....you make a very....rational point.... :-P :-D